Inside Recess Urban Recreation with the Totally Awesome Awards 2016

Recess Urban Recreation just won a Totally Awesome Award for Ideal Indoor Play Spaces in San Francisco. We recently spoke to them about their experience as a business owner, the best advice they’ve ever received and more. Hear what they have to say below!

Red Tricycle: Your community recently voted you “Ideal Indoor Play Spaces” – what do your customers value most about your business?Recess Urban Recreation: With play spaces popping up on every corner, parents appreciate Recess’ uniquely inclusive community and expansive layout targeted to support the development of infants, toddlers and preschoolers. It’s a sanity saver to have so much space — particularly when that space acknowledges families thrive in a thoughtfully curated, unpretentious environment where you can hang out with other adults while enjoying time with your child.

RT: What do you want people to know about your business that they don’t already know?RUR: Recess’ team is a diverse group: child development experts, educators, artists and wellness professionals. Not only do we work together to provide great the great kids classes and parties folks have come to know, but we also have pilates & yoga, on site parent support, and even a co-working space with childcare! Recess is intentionally set up to help every caregiver navigate the sometimes difficult job of raising a child in the city. We support the needs of the whole family — everyone from kids & moms, to dads, grandparents and nannies. Of course, a little coffee, humor and great music go a long way too.

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RT: How did your business get started and what was the motivation?RUR: My background is with children with special needs and, particularly in that work, the importance of play in developing social skills was undeniable. Recess started back in 2008 out of a conversation that there needed to be a place you could take your kids, any time of day, to socialize and be free your child explore. We decided that it had to be a really well designed space, where kids could stay engaged and follow their interests of the day. It might be cooking in the play kitchen one day, boogying to live music the next and creating a masterpiece in the art space even later in the week. Engaged kids make for happy grownups, and they learn so much (not to mention nap so much better)!

RT: Tell us, what do you start your morning with: 1. coffee 2. tea 3. mimosa 4. water 5. all of the above.RUR: Coffee all the time, a mimosa some of the time.

RT: What is the most awesome thing a customer has ever done for you?RUR: We’ve had incredible members volunteer their talents to help Recess continue to evolve over the years…everything from playing music for families, doing story time, contributing artwork, and lending design expertise. It truly makes Recess a living, breathing community space!

RT: What is your biggest pet peeve as a business owner?RUR: The assumption some have that a super small business like ours is simply operating for profit, versus existing out of passion.

RT: How do you keep your stress levels down?RUR: Play! Going for a walk, heading down to the beach with my dogs, and hanging out with my family are all great stress relievers. It’s amazing how getting down on the floor to play with legos or look at books with the baby forces time to slow down and stress to evaporate.

RT: What’s your secret superhero power as a business owner?RUR: Patience…and the ability to adapt.

RT: Tell us, what is the best piece of advice you’ve ever received (as a parent or business owner)?RUR: Everything is temporary – so true both in parenting and business. We really do have to continue to evolve and grow–and enjoy the positives in any particular phase. They’ll be gone before you know it.

RT: How about the worst piece of advice you’ve ever received?RUR: If you want it done right, do it yourself. When the team of experts is assembled, magic happens.

RT: Is there a special offer you’d like to include for Red Tricycle readers?RUR: 10% off an annual membership or Birthday Party Package!